Water quality modelling of the western Scheldt estuary |
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Authors: | Maarten R L Ouboter Bert T M Van Eck Jos A G Van Gils Jean Pierre Sweerts Monique T Villars |
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Institution: | (1) Delft Hydraulics, P.O. Box 177, 2600 MH Delft, The Netherlands;(2) National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ, P.O. Box 8039, 4330 EA Middelburg, the Netherlands |
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Abstract: | In 1987 the National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management (theNetherlands) initiated the SAWES project (Systems Analysis
WEstern Scheldt).The main goals of the project were to acquire knowledge with respect to thepollution problems in the Scheldt
estuary and to apply this knowledge tomanagement issues of the Scheldt on an operational level. The main interestwas to understand
quantitatively the relation between inputs of pollutingsubstances and effects on the ecosystem. In the framework of the project,
awater quality model for the Scheldt estuary was made. In 1995, the modelarea was expanded to include the Belgian coastal
region at the mouth of theestuary.
The model calculates the fate of discharged substances andestablishes the relation between pollution inputs and the resulting
waterquality, including general water quality (oxygen, pH, alkalinity, major ionchemistry and nutrients) as well as pollutant
concentrations. The modelincorporates all chemical processes which affect these concentrations,including the precipitation/dissolution
of metal sulphides which to a largeextent controls the fate of trace metals. Based on calibration andverification exercises,
it has been shown that the model provides a goodrepresentation of the physical and chemical processes taking place withinthe
estuary and can therefore be used to support policy development for theestuary. For example, the model can compute how the
water and sedimentquality in the estuary will respond to reduced inputs of waste or to suchhuman activities as dredging.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | Western Scheldt water quality heavy metals modelling decision support system |
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